Why do jewish funerals cover mirrors

Though traditionally one would never thank someone or expect to be thanked for fulfilling a mitzvah [commandment] as profound as honoring the dead or comforting the bereaved, many people find that writing to visitors and answering sympathy cards are part of the healing process.

Shiva starts when the mourners return home from the funeral. The rituals are elemental, and for the most part wordless. Wearing cloth slippers, socks, or going barefoot is a sign of being humbled by loss. This is usually done at the cemetery. Candles are universal symbols of the divine spark that inhabits the body. The funeral home provides a long-burning candle or a special electric light that stays lit throughout shiva. Pronounced: SHI-vuh short i , Origin: Hebrew, seven days of mourning after a funeral, when the mourner stays at home and observes various rituals.

A Jewish funeral is held as quickly as possible after death and usually includes readings, a eulogy, and a special memorial prayer. We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and bring you ads that might interest you. Preparing the Shiva House. Front Door In preparing the shiva house, the front doors are left unlocked to avoid the noise of doorbells or knocking, and allowing visitors to enter peacefully and quietly without distracting those in mourning.

Burning Candle The family in mourning lights a candle upon returning from the cemetery, and it burns for the traditional shiva period of seven days. Covering Mirrors Before a mourner returns from the cemetery, a friend or family member covers all of the mirrors in the house which remain covered during the shiva. Cleansing Upon returning from the cemetery, those preparing the shiva house will generally have a pitcher of water waiting outside for the mourners and visitors to wash their hands.

Shoes The mourner typically removes his or her shoes and refrain from wearing leather shoes. Sitting Low to the Ground The process of mourning is difficult, painful and grief stricken. Related Articles Who Sits Shiva. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Policy. Who Sits Shiva. Mourner Observances. The First Meal. Technically, Shiva begins immediately after the burial, while still at the cemetery.

In fact, many people change into their non-leather shoes worn during Shiva while still at the cemetery, to indicate that they are now aveilim. The majority of the rituals of Shiva begin, however, when the mourners return to the Shiva home or to the place of Shiva.

At that time, prior to entering the house, the hands are washed from a pre-placed container of water, and dried on disposable towels.

Then a family member lights the Shiva candle which is provided by the funeral home and which burns for seven days no blessing is recited. The Shiva candle serves as a mark of respect for the deceased, as in Jewish tradition the flame is symbolic of the soul.

Jewish tradition prescribes several specific behaviors in the house of mourning as part of the Shiva observance. There are two customs in particular that bear examination:.

Find Us on Google Maps.